An increasing awareness of the impact that fossil fuels are having on the environment has forced manufacturers to seek alternative methods of powering all kinds of vehicles, including vans. Whilst the technology to create commercial vans that are entirely powered by ‘green’ fuels is still in its infancy, hydrogen powered vehicles and hybrid (gas/electric) vehicles are currently the two front runners for medium term environmentally friendly vehicle design.
New vans that are ‘hybrid’ run on a combination of fuel and electricity technology, although with the advent of better battery design some manufacturers are now looking at producing commercially viable vans that run purely on battery power. Recent research into the charging time of standard batteries is producing some interesting developments in ‘rapid charge’ cells, but these are still a couple of years away from being an effective commercial option. So most manufacturers opt for the combination choice or even incorporate other fuels such as LPG (liquid petroleum gas) or natural gas.
New design parameters are placing the drive battery under the van’s flooring, which means that there is no loss of cargo area in the back of the van. This is an important consideration for logistics companies who want to maximise the use of space as efficiently as possible whilst still adhering to a greener transport policy.
Hydrogen-powered trucks and vans could also soon become a reality, thanks to a British technology company. ITM Power, based near Saffron Walden, Essex, has unveiled a converted Ford Focus, which runs on hydrogen, but can switch back to petrol if the hydrogen supply is exhausted.
The firm has also developed a home refueling station, capable of producing the gas from water and electricity. ITM’s demonstration vehicle, which has completed successful urban commuting trials, can travel 25 miles on a single recharge of hydrogen.
An ITM spokesman says: “Although the initial demonstration vehicle is a car, vans and trucks will also be able to use the new fuel system to give CV operators huge potential cost savings on delivery journeys, as well as further reducing CO2 emissions.
The strict new fuel economy standards recently set forth in the Obama administration mean that by 2016 all heavy vehicles such as SUVs, vans and minivans will need to get to the minimum 35.5MPG standard. Manufacturers will have little choice but to move toward either hydrogen or electric hybrid technologies to accomplish this, but right now it still unclear which technology will capture most of the market share.
General Motors and its sister companies such as Vauxhall plan to be the leader in plug-in hybrids starting with the Chevy Volt. In 2012 Vauxhall’s FLEXtreme vehicle looks set to take things further with its new range of technologies still in conceptual stage. It has a major opportunity to extend its E-Flex architecture to SUVs and trucks by 2016.
This blogger is betting on a move towards the fuel/electro hybrid standard over hydrogen fuels over the short to medium term. With the 2016 clock is definitely ticking down and development further along in ‘plug-in’ and electric technologies, hybrids provide easier short term functionality and portability for manufacturers. Although Hydrogen is full of promise, the strict 2016 deadline offers very little chance to develop the technology to the point of commercial viability.
Give us your thoughts, what is the future of full-ups, c. 2016? Hybrids, Hydrogen, or none of the above?
Source: ITM Power, Vauxhall Concept Cars, Politico
